'We need to raise £650,000 each year just to maintain our services so this is a wonderful help.'

This year is the Murdishaw hospice's silver jubilee and the Cheshire donation will go towards a number of projects including: nRefurbishing all 15 patients' bedrooms; nFitting a central heating system in the hospice's day centre.

Last year the scheme raised £6,000 for the hospice and Shaun believes the increase illustrates the generosity of Halton residents.

He said: 'The donation reflects the fact that people are thinking about our hospice when they open an account.

'We would love loads more people to do so too.'

The cheque was presented by Cheshire Building Society's Frodsham branch manager, Debbie Bell, who said: 'This is a great way of supporting your local community whilst getting a decent interest rate on your money.'